Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s teammate in Red Bull Formula 1 team
The 22-year-old New Zealander is promoted from Red Bull sister team RB to replace Mexican Perez, whose contract was terminated 2 years early
New Zealander Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez in the daunting role of teammate to four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season, the Formula One team said on Thursday.
Mexican Perez’s departure, after months of poor results, was announced on Wednesday and Lawson’s promotion from Red Bull’s sister team RB had been expected.
Perez’s contract was terminated two years early, the Mexican ditched after being rarely competitive this season. He had not won a race since April 2023 and the last time he finished higher than sixth in a grand prix was in May.
Lawson, 22, who joined the Red Bull Junior Programme five years ago, made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix as a five-race stand-in for injured Daniel Ricciardo and returned for the last six races of this season when the Australian was dropped.
“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a lifelong dream for me – this is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old,” he said in a team statement.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB [RB] for their support – the past six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.
